The Game ✔

Chapter thirty five

Warning, this chapter may contain some mature subject.

One year earlier

I laugh at Ayden's imitation of Mr. Bean, which is playing on the television right now. I can't breathe, holding on to my stomach as I'm laying on the couch in my house. 

''What is he doing again?'' My father asks before entering the living room. He falls into fits of laughter as soon as he sees Ayden. ''Son, you look ridiculous.''

He does but I can't shake away the warmth washing over me as he comes back on the couch, his arm over my shoulders, ''I should be a comedian.'' 

''Modesty surely won't strangle you.'' Dad retorts just in time for my mother to get in the living room.

Ayden whistles, ''Woh miss, you look beautiful.'' 

''Eyes off young man.'' My father teases him before looking at his wife, ''But he's right, you do look beautiful.'' He pecks her lips.

''Not so bad yourself.'' She replies, an incredible smile on her face. ''Where's your sister?'' She then asks me.

''With that boy, Owen,'' I tell her with a wave of the hand.

''This stupid Game, I hope she doesn't get her hopes too high with him. Since the first time I saw him, I don't trust him.'' 

''A little heartbreak won't kill her. In that case, she'll only grow wiser.'' My father tells her and she gives him an unimpressed look.

''Where are you going?'' I ask them, changing the subject.

''A little date at the restaurant, it's been a while since we didn't do something only the two of us.'' She gives a loving look towards my father.

''If we don't count your night at the movies the last Tuesday,'' I say.

''Or the improvised date from last week, where was it already?'' Ayden adds.

''Alright, we get it.'' My father interferes. ''Ayden, you're welcome to stay here as late as you want. With that said, you have to be gone by ten.'' 

Ayden laughs, raising his thumb up, ''Got it.''

''Have a nice evening.'' My mother says before they both leave the house.

We continue our movie night, dancing and imitating the people in the movies until ten o'clock arrives. Sadly, I detach myself from Ayden. We both walk together to the door, ready to say our goodbyes.

''Are you coming tomorrow morning for pancakes?'' He asks.

''As long as there's no bacon.'' I scrunch my nose up.

He rolls his eyes, ''Oh right, I forgot you started your vegetarian thing.''

''Don't judge!'' I push him lightly, laughing.

He grins wildly and hugs me, ''See you tomorrow morning then.''

The door closes behind him and I start walking up to my bedroom. I look at my sister's room from across the hall. I hope she'll be here by the time the parents come home from their date or she'll be in hot waters.

I spend the rest of my night studying for my math test in two weeks. You can never be too prepared.

An hour later, I hear the front door closing. I get out of my room to see my sister climbing up the stairs slowly, her eyes unfocused. I immediately know something was wrong.

''Hey, how went your night?'' I ask her. She jumps in surprise when she hears my voice.

''Not well.'' She simply says her voice so soft I can barely hear her.

''Why so?'' I ask and follow her into her room.

''He brought his friends.'' She says, her voice slightly wavering and I see the goosebumps on her arms.

''What happened?'' I walk cautiously toward her and I see a bruise on her upper arm, in the shape of a hand.

When she sees me looking, she quickly pulls her sleeve over, ''They had some fun.''

''What do you mean?'' I keep on pushing but then she turns, her eyes filled with anger and hurt, ''They had some fun, that's it. Now leave me alone!''

I take a step back, not knowing what to do. Never had my sister yelled at me, she usually always told me every single one of her secrets. We could talk for hours on her bed.

But right now, I don't know why, I do as she says and leave her alone. I immediately text my mother to tell her something has gone wrong. She will know what to do, mothers always know best.

My thoughts keep on replaying the words she said. They had some fun. Had they abused her? I shiver at the thought, this couldn't be right.

I look at my watch. It had now been thirty minutes since she had gone in the shower, the water still on. I sigh and go knock on the door because I have to take my shower as well and there's no way I'm having a cold shower.

I knock once, twice. No response.

''Stacy! Come out!'' I yell. She still doesn't answer so I test the handle. It barely moves.

''Stacy c'mon! I want some hot water as well.'' I whine and she still doesn't answer. A cold feeling fills me as I feel like something's wrong once again. I keep on knocking and trying to move the handle but nothing. I then decide to open it with my thumb's nail, like we used to do when we were younger.

I break in but my breath gets caught, and my knees buckle. I can't breathe as I fall to my knees, so weak. I see my sister laying there, her eyes closed and blood all over the floor coming out of her wrists. I try to scream but it gets caught in my throat and I'm frozen in place, frozen in time. I can't move, I can't scream, I can't do anything, I'm so weak.

I try to breathe but it feels like no air can get fast enough in my lungs.

Muffled sounds come from behind, screams, and cries but nothing seems to reach me. Is this a bad dream? Have I just fallen asleep during that movie? In a moment I'll wake up and Ayden will be next to me, telling me it's all just a nightmare.

But I never wake up as the paramedics come and take my sister in that black bag. I don't wake up as they take my father as well for post-traumatic I-don't-know-what. I don't wake up as I hear my mother cry in my arms. 

I don't wake up during her funerals where everyone says it'll get better. Who are they kidding really? Who are they to say things like that?

And I won't shed a tear for three days because I keep telling myself I might wake up soon.